Jason Nickerson
@jwnickerson.bsky.social
Respiratory Therapist 🫁
Trail runner and adventurer🏃♂️
Public health, emerging infectious diseases, health systems researcher focusing on older adults ☣️
Humanitarian aid worker and former Humanitarian Representative to Canada for MSF 🌍
Trail runner and adventurer🏃♂️
Public health, emerging infectious diseases, health systems researcher focusing on older adults ☣️
Humanitarian aid worker and former Humanitarian Representative to Canada for MSF 🌍
Reposted by Jason Nickerson
Lots to like in this #pharmacare report (it's feisty!) tho I still worry its approach to WHO #EssentialMedicines lets fall through the cracks the many drugs on the WHO EML💊📜, from #albendazole to #tuberculosis drugs, that aren't actually sold in Canada despite being the recognized standard of care.
November 22, 2025 at 1:36 AM
Lots to like in this #pharmacare report (it's feisty!) tho I still worry its approach to WHO #EssentialMedicines lets fall through the cracks the many drugs on the WHO EML💊📜, from #albendazole to #tuberculosis drugs, that aren't actually sold in Canada despite being the recognized standard of care.
Canadian foreign policy at this point basically consists of a series of banal tweets about important things. These tweets take 3-5 days to write and approve.
November 23, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Canadian foreign policy at this point basically consists of a series of banal tweets about important things. These tweets take 3-5 days to write and approve.
Folks, it’s probably time to stop posting glowing content praising Liberal ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries for standing up for global health or international assistance or having any kind of helpful foreign policy.
No more feminist foreign policy, Carney says
Prime Minister, who made the comments at the G20 summit in Johannesburg, has placed less emphasis on feminist policies than the Trudeau government
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 23, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Folks, it’s probably time to stop posting glowing content praising Liberal ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries for standing up for global health or international assistance or having any kind of helpful foreign policy.
Can’t help but feel like Putnam predicted this in some way, 30 years ago.
We’re now in a place where bad (or delusional) ideas and fake videos/text/“events” are given an air of credibility by a fake polished AI veneer. This is so obviously bad for trust, and just knowing what is going on.
We’re now in a place where bad (or delusional) ideas and fake videos/text/“events” are given an air of credibility by a fake polished AI veneer. This is so obviously bad for trust, and just knowing what is going on.
Bellingcat’s contact email has always been a magnet for people with fairly unusual views; paranoid delusions, sprawling conspiracies, the works. But recently, the pattern has shifted, we’re seeing more and more emails clearly written with ChatGPT.
November 19, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Can’t help but feel like Putnam predicted this in some way, 30 years ago.
We’re now in a place where bad (or delusional) ideas and fake videos/text/“events” are given an air of credibility by a fake polished AI veneer. This is so obviously bad for trust, and just knowing what is going on.
We’re now in a place where bad (or delusional) ideas and fake videos/text/“events” are given an air of credibility by a fake polished AI veneer. This is so obviously bad for trust, and just knowing what is going on.
Ottawa’s boondoggle of Lansdowne 2.0 will funnel a bunch of taxpayers dollars to a handful of private companies and now will drive out Ottawa’s very successful women’s hockey league team who say they won’t play in an arena that can seat fewer people than they have attending a weekday hockey game.
Ottawa Charge won't play at smaller Lansdowne arena, PWHL says | CBC News
"We'd like to find a solution that works for us to stay in Ottawa," a league executive says of the Ottawa Charge. "But the city hasn't made it easy for us."
www.cbc.ca
November 18, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Ottawa’s boondoggle of Lansdowne 2.0 will funnel a bunch of taxpayers dollars to a handful of private companies and now will drive out Ottawa’s very successful women’s hockey league team who say they won’t play in an arena that can seat fewer people than they have attending a weekday hockey game.
Ethiopia has confirmed that the cases of hemorrhagic fever identified in Jinka town are Marburg virus disease.
There have been several Marburg outbreaks in the past couple of years, the largest occurred in Rwanda in the fall of 2024.
There are no approved vaccines and therapeutics for Marburg.
There have been several Marburg outbreaks in the past couple of years, the largest occurred in Rwanda in the fall of 2024.
There are no approved vaccines and therapeutics for Marburg.
November 16, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Ethiopia has confirmed that the cases of hemorrhagic fever identified in Jinka town are Marburg virus disease.
There have been several Marburg outbreaks in the past couple of years, the largest occurred in Rwanda in the fall of 2024.
There are no approved vaccines and therapeutics for Marburg.
There have been several Marburg outbreaks in the past couple of years, the largest occurred in Rwanda in the fall of 2024.
There are no approved vaccines and therapeutics for Marburg.
Reposted by Jason Nickerson
Not good: Ethiopia is reporting a cluster of 8 suspected cases of a possible viral hemorrhagic fever.
It is not yet clear: (1) if these are true, confirmed cases; and (2) what the suspected illness is - many possibilities here ranging from not a VHF, to Ebolavirus, Ebola Sudan, Marburg, etc.
It is not yet clear: (1) if these are true, confirmed cases; and (2) what the suspected illness is - many possibilities here ranging from not a VHF, to Ebolavirus, Ebola Sudan, Marburg, etc.
Ethiopia reports suspected viral haemorrhagic fever outbreak
Health authorities in Ethiopia are carrying out further investigations and ramping up response after suspected cases of viral haemorrhagic fever were reported in the country’s South Ethiopia Region.
www.afro.who.int
November 13, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Not good: Ethiopia is reporting a cluster of 8 suspected cases of a possible viral hemorrhagic fever.
It is not yet clear: (1) if these are true, confirmed cases; and (2) what the suspected illness is - many possibilities here ranging from not a VHF, to Ebolavirus, Ebola Sudan, Marburg, etc.
It is not yet clear: (1) if these are true, confirmed cases; and (2) what the suspected illness is - many possibilities here ranging from not a VHF, to Ebolavirus, Ebola Sudan, Marburg, etc.
Join us next week in Ottawa for a screening of the documentary “Restoring Dignity” and a discussion on neglected diseases (specifically Noma) moderated by me, with some wonderful panelists.
Happening next week at @uOttawaLaw! Join us for “NOMA: The Worst Violations of the Rights of Children”- a documentary screening and talk with advocates.
🗓️ Nov 18, 11:30am EST, Fauteux Hall 135
www.ottawahealthlaw.ca/events/noma
www.ottawahealthlaw.ca/events/noma
Noma – The Worst Violations of the Rights of the Child
Event
www.ottawahealthlaw.ca
November 13, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Join us next week in Ottawa for a screening of the documentary “Restoring Dignity” and a discussion on neglected diseases (specifically Noma) moderated by me, with some wonderful panelists.
For clarity, here: Health Canada didn't "lose" them in the sense that they didn't, like, "fall off the back of a truck". Health Canada says there was a temperature deviation that, presumably, led to spoilage of temperature-sensitive products like vaccines or drugs. Which is bad, yes, but different.
Health Canada lost $20-million worth of pharmaceuticals this year from national stockpile
Agency says it was due to a ‘temperature deviation’ and refuses to say what was lost, citing national security implications
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 13, 2025 at 4:13 PM
For clarity, here: Health Canada didn't "lose" them in the sense that they didn't, like, "fall off the back of a truck". Health Canada says there was a temperature deviation that, presumably, led to spoilage of temperature-sensitive products like vaccines or drugs. Which is bad, yes, but different.
Not good: Ethiopia is reporting a cluster of 8 suspected cases of a possible viral hemorrhagic fever.
It is not yet clear: (1) if these are true, confirmed cases; and (2) what the suspected illness is - many possibilities here ranging from not a VHF, to Ebolavirus, Ebola Sudan, Marburg, etc.
It is not yet clear: (1) if these are true, confirmed cases; and (2) what the suspected illness is - many possibilities here ranging from not a VHF, to Ebolavirus, Ebola Sudan, Marburg, etc.
Ethiopia reports suspected viral haemorrhagic fever outbreak
Health authorities in Ethiopia are carrying out further investigations and ramping up response after suspected cases of viral haemorrhagic fever were reported in the country’s South Ethiopia Region.
www.afro.who.int
November 13, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Not good: Ethiopia is reporting a cluster of 8 suspected cases of a possible viral hemorrhagic fever.
It is not yet clear: (1) if these are true, confirmed cases; and (2) what the suspected illness is - many possibilities here ranging from not a VHF, to Ebolavirus, Ebola Sudan, Marburg, etc.
It is not yet clear: (1) if these are true, confirmed cases; and (2) what the suspected illness is - many possibilities here ranging from not a VHF, to Ebolavirus, Ebola Sudan, Marburg, etc.
Reposted by Jason Nickerson
Canada lost its #measles elimination status today.
Here's something @jwnickerson.bsky.social and I wrote a while back in @theconversation.com for @msf.ca:
"Measles is a humanitarian issue, and its unwelcome reappearance in Canada is a reminder of its importance"
theconversation.com/measles-is-a...
Here's something @jwnickerson.bsky.social and I wrote a while back in @theconversation.com for @msf.ca:
"Measles is a humanitarian issue, and its unwelcome reappearance in Canada is a reminder of its importance"
theconversation.com/measles-is-a...
Measles is a humanitarian issue, and its unwelcome reappearance in Canada is a reminder of its importance
Any upsurge in measles is of real concern, but in settings aggravated by poor living conditions and malnutrition, it can be disastrous. It can affect adults, but young children are at particular risk.
theconversation.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Canada lost its #measles elimination status today.
Here's something @jwnickerson.bsky.social and I wrote a while back in @theconversation.com for @msf.ca:
"Measles is a humanitarian issue, and its unwelcome reappearance in Canada is a reminder of its importance"
theconversation.com/measles-is-a...
Here's something @jwnickerson.bsky.social and I wrote a while back in @theconversation.com for @msf.ca:
"Measles is a humanitarian issue, and its unwelcome reappearance in Canada is a reminder of its importance"
theconversation.com/measles-is-a...
Reposted by Jason Nickerson
Incredibly grim stuff, #Edmonton.
👀"the highest yearly incidence rate documented in the international scientific literature. This suggests that Edmonton may lead the world in severe frostbite cases."
👀👀"Reported amputations due to frostbite reached an all-time high of 110 cases in 2024 in Edmonton"
👀"the highest yearly incidence rate documented in the international scientific literature. This suggests that Edmonton may lead the world in severe frostbite cases."
👀👀"Reported amputations due to frostbite reached an all-time high of 110 cases in 2024 in Edmonton"
Edmonton has had a disturbingly high number of frostbite amputations the last two winters. With freezing temps on the way, both the City and the Government of Alberta must do more to prevent people from freezing in the cold. edmontonjournal.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #yegcc
Opinion: Edmonton doesn't have to be the frostbite capital of the world
Severe frostbite injuries are entirely preventable - together, let’s work towards a city where no one gets left out in the cold.
edmontonjournal.com
November 8, 2025 at 4:50 AM
Incredibly grim stuff, #Edmonton.
👀"the highest yearly incidence rate documented in the international scientific literature. This suggests that Edmonton may lead the world in severe frostbite cases."
👀👀"Reported amputations due to frostbite reached an all-time high of 110 cases in 2024 in Edmonton"
👀"the highest yearly incidence rate documented in the international scientific literature. This suggests that Edmonton may lead the world in severe frostbite cases."
👀👀"Reported amputations due to frostbite reached an all-time high of 110 cases in 2024 in Edmonton"
Reposted by Jason Nickerson
I helped make a film, out this week, called “Rovina’s Choice,” about the deaths this man without conscience or accountability has caused — already 600,000, ⅔ of them children.
November 6, 2025 at 10:34 PM
I helped make a film, out this week, called “Rovina’s Choice,” about the deaths this man without conscience or accountability has caused — already 600,000, ⅔ of them children.
Absolute nonsense. The pharmaceutical industry is one of the most profitable industries on the planet, every single new drug that comes to market is the result of some funding from taxpayers to discover or develop it, yet many Canadians can’t afford these same medicines.
In an absolutely shocking turn of events, #PhRMA (Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America) believes, in their submission to the #USMCA/#CUSMA trade agreement review, that Canada should be paying more for medicines.
🛃💊💰
www.phrma.org/resources/ph...
🛃💊💰
www.phrma.org/resources/ph...
November 7, 2025 at 12:50 AM
Absolute nonsense. The pharmaceutical industry is one of the most profitable industries on the planet, every single new drug that comes to market is the result of some funding from taxpayers to discover or develop it, yet many Canadians can’t afford these same medicines.
Reposted by Jason Nickerson
Not sure what to make of this story that implies that politicians want to do the right thing and get people out of a genocide in Sudan, but Canadian government bureaucracy is stopping this from moving ahead.
Once again, Canada seems unwilling and unable to do hard things that are important to do.
Once again, Canada seems unwilling and unable to do hard things that are important to do.
Former immigration minister rejected officials’ advice to shelve Sudan humanitarian program
Officials argued that bringing Sudanese out of civil war and into Canada could affect government’s immigration levels plan
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 6, 2025 at 2:17 AM
Not sure what to make of this story that implies that politicians want to do the right thing and get people out of a genocide in Sudan, but Canadian government bureaucracy is stopping this from moving ahead.
Once again, Canada seems unwilling and unable to do hard things that are important to do.
Once again, Canada seems unwilling and unable to do hard things that are important to do.
Not sure what to make of this story that implies that politicians want to do the right thing and get people out of a genocide in Sudan, but Canadian government bureaucracy is stopping this from moving ahead.
Once again, Canada seems unwilling and unable to do hard things that are important to do.
Once again, Canada seems unwilling and unable to do hard things that are important to do.
Former immigration minister rejected officials’ advice to shelve Sudan humanitarian program
Officials argued that bringing Sudanese out of civil war and into Canada could affect government’s immigration levels plan
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 6, 2025 at 2:17 AM
Not sure what to make of this story that implies that politicians want to do the right thing and get people out of a genocide in Sudan, but Canadian government bureaucracy is stopping this from moving ahead.
Once again, Canada seems unwilling and unable to do hard things that are important to do.
Once again, Canada seems unwilling and unable to do hard things that are important to do.
Reposted by Jason Nickerson
At the end of the day I'm not sure how much difference it makes. But it is striking to put out a budget that axes a luxury tax on yachts and adds a co-pay for refugee claimants accessing drugs and dental care.
November 4, 2025 at 10:57 PM
At the end of the day I'm not sure how much difference it makes. But it is striking to put out a budget that axes a luxury tax on yachts and adds a co-pay for refugee claimants accessing drugs and dental care.
Reposted by Jason Nickerson
Just look at the stats from the most recent #Tuberculosis in Canada report (released Oct 2025, but covering 2023).
It notes incidence of 5.5/100,000 & risk of not meeting Canada's 2030 commitment of >1/100,000.
Meanwhile among Inuit it's 204.2/100,000...
publications.gc.ca/site/eng/9.9...
It notes incidence of 5.5/100,000 & risk of not meeting Canada's 2030 commitment of >1/100,000.
Meanwhile among Inuit it's 204.2/100,000...
publications.gc.ca/site/eng/9.9...
November 2, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Just look at the stats from the most recent #Tuberculosis in Canada report (released Oct 2025, but covering 2023).
It notes incidence of 5.5/100,000 & risk of not meeting Canada's 2030 commitment of >1/100,000.
Meanwhile among Inuit it's 204.2/100,000...
publications.gc.ca/site/eng/9.9...
It notes incidence of 5.5/100,000 & risk of not meeting Canada's 2030 commitment of >1/100,000.
Meanwhile among Inuit it's 204.2/100,000...
publications.gc.ca/site/eng/9.9...
Reposted by Jason Nickerson
Horrific details emerging from El Fasher, Sudan: pools of blood so large they’re visible by satellite, people being killed systematically. Last week, MSF teams assessed 165 children under 5 fleeing the area and found 75% were acutely malnourished. An accelerating genocide before our eyes.
Signs of latest massacres in Darfur are visible in satellite imagery
Analysis concludes paramilitary soldiers are conducting mass killings in house-to-house operations
www.theglobeandmail.com
October 29, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Horrific details emerging from El Fasher, Sudan: pools of blood so large they’re visible by satellite, people being killed systematically. Last week, MSF teams assessed 165 children under 5 fleeing the area and found 75% were acutely malnourished. An accelerating genocide before our eyes.
Horrific details emerging from El Fasher, Sudan: pools of blood so large they’re visible by satellite, people being killed systematically. Last week, MSF teams assessed 165 children under 5 fleeing the area and found 75% were acutely malnourished. An accelerating genocide before our eyes.
Signs of latest massacres in Darfur are visible in satellite imagery
Analysis concludes paramilitary soldiers are conducting mass killings in house-to-house operations
www.theglobeandmail.com
October 29, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Horrific details emerging from El Fasher, Sudan: pools of blood so large they’re visible by satellite, people being killed systematically. Last week, MSF teams assessed 165 children under 5 fleeing the area and found 75% were acutely malnourished. An accelerating genocide before our eyes.
Reposted by Jason Nickerson
I've built a socioeconomic system that depends on everyone to do useful work and act ethically except the people at the top, who get unimaginable rewards for being antisocial frauds and criminals. And I think it will stand the test of time
October 28, 2025 at 7:16 PM
I've built a socioeconomic system that depends on everyone to do useful work and act ethically except the people at the top, who get unimaginable rewards for being antisocial frauds and criminals. And I think it will stand the test of time
Reposted by Jason Nickerson
WHO's new Global report on #NeglectedTropicalDiseases 2025 is out. #NTDs
www.who.int/publications...
Definitely have not yet waded through all 100+ pages, but plenty of interesting stuff here, e.g., ⬇️
www.who.int/publications...
Definitely have not yet waded through all 100+ pages, but plenty of interesting stuff here, e.g., ⬇️
October 22, 2025 at 6:07 PM
WHO's new Global report on #NeglectedTropicalDiseases 2025 is out. #NTDs
www.who.int/publications...
Definitely have not yet waded through all 100+ pages, but plenty of interesting stuff here, e.g., ⬇️
www.who.int/publications...
Definitely have not yet waded through all 100+ pages, but plenty of interesting stuff here, e.g., ⬇️
Strong agree with this - there’s a presumption that the discussions and impact of the VIP meetings is higher than the “not-VIP” meetings. Simply not true - the world is full of brilliant people making huge impacts that are far more tangible than in many of these meetings.
With a felt kazillion “I was in the VIP room!” posts (mainly photos with dozens of VIP handles) on my feed post #UNGA #WHS2025 #AnnualMeetings, upping this one on FOMO and what really happens in these haloed rooms: katribertram.wordpress.com/2023/10/18/g...
Global health – battling FOMO with transparency
After another global health “summit”, I reflect on what it means to be invited to “VIP” spaces.
katribertram.wordpress.com
October 19, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Strong agree with this - there’s a presumption that the discussions and impact of the VIP meetings is higher than the “not-VIP” meetings. Simply not true - the world is full of brilliant people making huge impacts that are far more tangible than in many of these meetings.